Meeting Mommy's Family

While we were in PA, Nadia got to meet 2 of my sisters and 3 of her 4 Northern cousins.

Aunt Nicole shows Nadia all of the beautiful flowers Nonna has in her garden. Thank you, Nicole for helping make Josi's time in PA very special while we were gone.  I know Josi will have wonderful memories of her time with Nonna, Grandpop, and all of you from these past 3 weeks!

Michael is Nicole's oldest son and is only 3 days younger than our Michael.  He learned quickly how to make Nadia laugh!

Matthew, who is almost 8, did a great job holding Nadia and keeping her entertained in the pool.

Marin, who is almost 6yrs. old had such a fun time with Nadia that she told me that she wanted her own little girl with Down syndrome so she could play with her and dress her. :)

Aunt Shelley is showing Nadia how to "fist bump" (I think).  One of Shelley's friends from work gave Nadia a large bag of clothes that his adopted daughter has outgrown.  She's wearing one of those beautiful dresses in this picture.  (Thank you, Rich).

My Mom, or Nonna to all the grandchildren, was the one who introduced Nadia to one of the finer things in life--swimming pools!  Once she got acclimated there was no turning back!

See what I mean?  Horsing around with Grandpop--fun times for this little girl!

Nadia ate all of her meals in this high chair that my Dad sat in as a little boy. I think her expression is in response to just how old this high chair really is!!! (76....right Dad?)

All of the grandchildren get their fair share of love and snuggle time with Nonna.  It doesn't get much better than that now does it?

Stephanie,  my sister who lives down in NC only 15min. from my house, had to wait the longest to get her hands on her newest niece!  She and Jessica, her daughter, arrived an hour early to make sure our house was ready for the Princess' arrival.  Lots of kisses from Aunt Stephanie!

Jessica had a countdown on her dry erase board as to how many more days until Nadia arrived in NC! To say she was eager to see her is a bit of an understatement.

Nadia still has quite a few more relatives to meet , just on my side of the family (we're Italian, you know), not to mention Jim's family!  Our social worker told us early on to spend the first few weeks just letting Nadia get to know us and keep visitors to a minimum.  I didn't say anything to her at the time, but I knew that there was NO WAY I'd be able to keep my family away from its newest member.  So, if you know my social worker, don't pass this post along, ok?  Thanks!!!